Navigating the Path to CyberPeace: Insights and Strategies
Featured #factCheck Blogs
Executive Summary
A video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being widely shared on social media with the claim that he warned about rising sugar prices, stating that if the supply crisis worsens, sugar prices could reach ₹130 per kg. In the viral clip, PM Modi can allegedly be heard speaking about the increase in sugar prices. However, a research done by the research wing of the CyberPeace revealed that the claim made with the viral video is false. The research found that the viral video is AI-generated and has been edited to spread misleading information on social media.
Claim:
On August 22, 2026, a video was shared on the social media platform Facebook with the caption: “Can sugar prices reach ₹120-₹130? Know what the government report says and the main reasons behind it. What is your opinion?”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/4384024895144864
FactCheck
To verify the truth behind the viral claim, a keyword search was conducted on Google. No reliable news reports or official announcements were found confirming that PM Modi made any such statement regarding sugar prices. Keyframes extracted from the viral clip were subjected to a reverse image search using Google Lens. This led to the original video uploaded on the official YouTube channel of PMO India on August 15, 2026. In the nearly 1-hour and 39-minute long Independence Day address, PM Modi did not mention sugar prices anywhere during his speech.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDHjd3GUU7Y
To further verify the authenticity of the video, it was scanned using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation. The results indicated a 94% probability that PM Modi's speech in the video is AI-generated.
The audio of the viral video was analyzed using Resemble AI. The tool's analysis confirmed that the audio was AI-generated, indicating that the original voice track had been manipulated/cloned.
Conclusion:
Our research confirms that the claim associated with the viral video is false. The video has been created using AI tools and edited to mislead the public.
Executive Summary
A video showing a massive crowd is being shared on social media with the claim that it shows an anti-reservation protest held at Jantar Mantar. However, a research done by the research wing of the CyberPeace revealed that the video is not from any anti-reservation protest at Jantar Mantar, but from the Jagannath Rath Yatra organized in Puri, Odisha.
Claim:
The video is being shared on X (formerly Twitter) with a viral caption that translates to: “Today, this massive gathering at Jantar Mantar created so much fear in the ruling government that upper-caste voices are being put under HOUSE ARREST across various states. Tomorrow will bring a tsunami, not just a surge. Until caste-based reservation, the SC/ST Act, and UGC regulations are removed, it will be difficult to stop us.”
https://x.com/bjpryvsh/status/2091554860785438887?s=20
Fact Check:
To investigate the viral video, reverse image searches were conducted using keyframes extracted from the clip. This led to an Instagram post uploaded on July 18. The caption accompanying the video clearly identified the footage as being from the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Da7tF2Etiae/
The visuals in the video were matched with the surroundings of the Jagannath Temple in Puri available on Google Maps Street View, confirming beyond doubt that the location in the video is near the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/JAY+JAGANNATH+HANDICARFTS/@
Similar visuals were found in photos uploaded by the X account of The New Indian Express Odisha on July 16, 2026. The imagery in these photographs closely matched the scenes in the viral video, and the caption stated that they were captured during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri.
https://x.com/XpressOdisha/status/2077697637688775015
Conclusion:
Based on the evidence gathered during our research, it is clear that the video being falsely circulated as an anti-reservation protest at Jantar Mantar is actually footage of the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha.
Executive Summary
A social media post card featuring a photo of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, carrying the logo of Navbharat Times, is being widely circulated online. The post claims that Rubio made a remark criticizing the Indian government, allegedly stating that “those in power through EVMs should tell us what to do and what not to do.” CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be false. There is no evidence of Marco Rubio making any such statement, and the viral post card is fabricated.
Claim:
A post shared by SP leader IP Singh alleged that the US Secretary made comments questioning the legitimacy of the Indian government and EVM-based elections, further linking it to broader political criticism of EVMs.
Post link: https://x.com/IPSinghSp/status/2066740933396492706?s=20, https://archive.ph/submit/?url
Fact Check:
A keyword search of the alleged statement revealed no credible reports or official records of Marco Rubio making any such remark. Additionally, a review of Navbharat Times’ official social media handles did not show any such post card being published, indicating that the viral graphic is not authentic. Further examination of recent statements by Marco Rubio showed no reference to EVMs or the Indian electoral system. Instead, a Navbharat Times report dated June 14 covered a different issue related to tensions in the Hormuz Strait, where Rubio commented on the killing of Indian sailors during a maritime incident and emphasized compliance with US directives for commercial vessels. https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/world/america/marco-rubio-remarks-on-killing-of-indian-sailors-in-hormuz-strait-insult-of-india-says
Conclusion:
The research confirms that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not make any statement regarding EVMs or the Indian government. The viral post card is fake and misleading.
Executive Summary
A set of two images is being widely circulated on social media claiming that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently raided a church in Kerala and seized ₹7000 crore in black money. The viral post also alleges that the media deliberately suppressed the news. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The visuals are not recent and are linked to an Income Tax Department action conducted in 2020 at the Believers Eastern Church in Kerala.
Claim:
A Facebook user shared the viral post claiming that ₹7000 crore in black money was seized from a Kerala-based church run by a bishop named Yohannan, and alleged that mainstream media ignored the incident.
Post link: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2143680196569943 , https://archive.ph/submit/
Fact Check:
A keyword search related to the alleged raid on Believers Church in Kerala led to several news reports published in November 2020. A report published in The Hindu on November 6, 2020 stated that a crackdown by the Income Tax Department on the Thiruvalla-based Believers Eastern Church had reportedly uncovered several irregularities. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/raids-bring-to-light-shady-deals-of-believers-church/article33041420.ece
Further verification from the official Income Tax Department website confirmed details of the search operation. According to the press release, approximately ₹6 crore in unexplained cash was recovered during the raid, including ₹3.85 crore from a place of worship in Delhi. https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/Lists/Press%20Releases/Attachments/872/PressRelease_ITD_conducts_searches_in_Kerala_6_11_20.pdf
The release also noted that evidence suggested possible cash siphoning running into hundreds of crores of rupees.Additional media reports, including The Indian Express, stated that the total seizure amounted to around ₹14 crore. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/i-t-raids-kerala-church-premises-on-charge-of-diverting-charity-funds-6984466/
Conclusion:
The research confirms that the viral claim is misleading. The incident is from 2020 and not recent. During the Income Tax Department raid on the Believers Eastern Church in Kerala, around ₹6 crore in cash was recovered, with total seizures reported up to ₹14 crore in media reports. There is no evidence of any ₹7000 crore seizure as claimed in the viral post.
Executive Summary
A video circulating on social media claims to show the Deputy Chief of Army Staff and former DGMO of the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, dancing with a young woman at a party. Users sharing the clip further allege that other junior military officers were also present at the event. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The viral video has no connection with the Indian Army, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, or any official military function. The person seen in the video is actually the father of content creator Akanksha Sehgal, who has featured him in multiple videos on her social media accounts.
Claim:
A Pakistani handle ‘Baba Thoka’ shared the video on X, alleging that Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai was seen dancing with young women at a party and that junior officers were also present.
- https://x.com/ThokaReturns/status/2068069535715147896?s=20
- https://archive.ph/H9EA0
Fact Check:
A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to the same clip being found on Instagram handle ‘akku_sehgal_’, posted on December 14, 2025. The video caption read: “POV – when your dad and your music taste match.”
Further examination of the content creator Akanksha Sehgal’s Instagram profile showed multiple videos featuring the same father-daughter duo, confirming that the man in the viral clip frequently appears in her content.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming to show Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai dancing at a party is misleading. The individual seen in the video is not the senior Indian Army officer but the father of content creator Akanksha Sehgal.
Executive Summary
Amid political developments following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, a photo is being widely circulated on social media claiming that former cricketer and Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The viral image shows Pathan wearing a BJP scarf and standing alongside Union Health Minister JP Nadda. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be false. The image in circulation is AI-generated and does not depict any real event.
Claim:
A Facebook user ‘Mohd Anwar Dhadoli Khurd’ shared the viral image on June 16, 2026, claiming that Yusuf Pathan has joined the BJP. The post has since been widely shared across platforms.
Post link: https://www.facebook.com/mohd.anwar.dhadoli.khurd/posts/pfbid02WAo4uXhhM1qEVTMbxTjKpTHkoeAbfEztwkX6tWLWpN8WBzNavgtJgKV8JoBGULSul
Archive link: https://perma.cc/4A3H-YTPL
Fact Check:
A reverse image search of the viral photo did not yield any credible news reports or authentic sources linking the image to any such political development. No related information was found on Yusuf Pathan’s official social media accounts either, raising suspicion about the authenticity of the image. The image was then analysed using AI detection tools. Sightengine reported a 99% probability of the image being AI-generated.
Additionally, analysis using “Undetectable.ai” also indicated a high likelihood of AI manipulation.
Conclusion:
The research confirms that the viral image claiming Yusuf Pathan’s entry into the BJP is AI-generated and does not reflect any real-world event.
Executive Summary
Following the official launch of E85 petrol in India on June 5, 2026, several videos have surfaced on social media claiming unusual side effects of ethanol-blended fuel. One such viral clip alleges that a swarm of bees gathers on a motorcycle fuel tank due to the use of ethanol mixed petrol. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be false and misleading. The viral video has been identified as AI-generated and does not depict any real-world incident related to ethanol-blended fuel.
Claim:
An X user shared an 11-second video on June 13, 2026, claiming that bees are being attracted to vehicles using ethanol-blended petrol. The post sarcastically suggested that E20 fuel is causing such unusual effects and questioned the impact of E85 petrol. https://x.com/khan_tahkeek/status/2065751435451437185?s=20, https://archive.ph/bMsL7
Fact Check:
A Google search using relevant keywords did not return any credible media reports supporting the claim, raising initial doubts about its authenticity. Closer inspection of the viral video revealed multiple visual inconsistencies suggesting digital manipulation. The video was further analysed using AI detection tools. Hive Moderation flagged the content as having a 98% probability of being AI-generated, indicating strong likelihood of synthetic creation.
In addition, analysis using the AI detection tool “WasItAI” also confirmed that the video is AI-generated.
Further verification found an official post by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) dated June 17, 2026, debunking similar misinformation circulating around ethanol-blended petrol https://x.com/BPCLimited/status/2067167037710020929?s=20
Conclusion:
The research confirms that the viral video showing bees swarming on a motorcycle fuel tank is AI-generated. The claim linking it to ethanol-blended petrol (E85/E20) is false and misleading, with no real-world basis.
Executive Summary
Amid reports of attacks on ships in the Gulf of Oman that led to the death of three Indian nationals, a video showing a person lying injured on a ship is being widely circulated on social media. The clip is being shared with the claim that the United States sent the body of a deceased Indian sailor to India in a “wrapped” condition. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The viral video is unrelated to any recent incident involving Indian nationals and is, in fact, from a mock drill conducted on board a ship.
Claim:
An Instagram user ‘fakirchand.sharma’ shared the video on June 15, 2026, claiming that an Indian sailor, identified as Nishant Urthnathan, died due to health complications on a vessel anchored at Duqm port, Oman. The post further alleged that the United States returned the body in a “wrapped” condition, sparking outrage on social media. https://www.instagram.com/fakirchand.sharma/reel/DZlsxj9TIaS , https://perma.cc/C9SF-J8ZR
Fact Check:
A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to an Instagram account ‘bipul_raja_vlogs’, where the same video was posted on June 10, 2026. The original caption clearly stated that the visuals were from a fire drill conducted on board a ship. https://www.instagram.com/p/DZbnZlGPAlL
Further posts from the same account on June 15 and June 17, 2026, also show similar mock drill visuals and clarify that the content is being misused online. The account features multiple posts related to routine ship operations and training exercises. https://www.instagram.com/p/DZnEXOzCc2X
The profile also contains several other photos and videos of crew members working on the ship. We also checked the YouTube channel linked in this profile, “Sunnybabu,” where a mock drill video was uploaded on January 21, 2026. https://www.instagram.com/bipul_raja_vlogs
Conclusion:
The research confirms that the viral video is unrelated to the death of any Indian sailor in the Gulf of Oman. The clip actually shows a mock drill conducted on a ship and is being falsely shared with a misleading narrative.
Executive Summary: A video circulating on social media claims that retired Lieutenant General P.R. Shankar questioned the capability of newly appointed Army Chief Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, suggesting he may not be able to effectively counter Pakistan or China. The clip further alleges that the appointment involved political influence and favoritism. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be false and misleading. The original video contains no such remarks regarding the new Army Chief or his appointment.
Claim: An X user shared the viral video on June 16, 2026, alleging that Lt Gen P.R. Shankar raised concerns over the appointment of the new Army Chief and questioned his competence in handling threats from Pakistan and China. https://x.com/indiain24hr/status/2066916021982908502 , https://archive.ph/vAnjo
Fact Check: A Google search using relevant keywords did not yield any credible media reports supporting the claim, raising initial doubts about its authenticity. A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to a YouTube livestream uploaded on June 13, 2026. The original video showed Lt Gen P.R. Shankar discussing modern military concepts such as drone warfare, rocket systems, artillery and missile warfare (DRaM Warfare), with no reference to Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth or his appointment.
https://www.youtube.com/live/60JMMlHRmjA
Further verification revealed that Lt Gen P.R. Shankar himself has labelled the circulating clip as fake on his official X account and has stated that a formal complaint has been filed against such manipulated content.
https://x.com/palepurshankar/status/2066826145707024778
Additionally, AI detection analysis using Hive Moderation indicated that the audio in the viral video has a 99% probability of being AI-generated.
Conclusion: The research confirms that the viral video is an AI-generated deepfake. The original video does not contain any remarks about Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth or his appointment. The content has been digitally manipulated and is being circulated with a misleading narrative.
Executive Summary
Amid ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 festivities, a video is being widely circulated on social media platforms claiming that a female football fan became the centre of attraction during a match due to her striking beauty. The clip is being shared with the caption “Beauty in Black,” suggesting that beauty transcends colour and became the highlight of the stadium crowd. CyberPeace Research Wing research, however, found the claim to be misleading. The viral video is AI-generated and does not depict any real incident from the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Claim:
Social media user Bal Mukund Joshi shared the video on X on June 14, 2026, claiming that a beautiful woman captured everyone’s attention inside a World Cup stadium. The post has been widely circulated across platforms.
https://x.com/balmukundjoshi/status/2066033100208095452?s=20
Fact Check:
A close visual analysis of the clip revealed inconsistencies, including a mismatch in skin tone between different frames, raising suspicion of digital manipulation or AI generation. The video was further examined using multiple AI detection tools. Google’s SynthID analysis indicated no direct trace of Google AI generation, but Gemini’s assessment highlighted anomalies suggesting possible AI or heavy digital editing, particularly in facial features and skin texture. The video was then analysed using Hive Moderation, which indicated a 100% probability of the content being AI-generated.
Additionally, frame-by-frame analysis using Vera AI Detector showed a high likelihood (92%) of AI-generated visuals. The research also revealed that the video originates from an Instagram-based virtual influencer account that shares AI-created content.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming that a female fan became the centre of attention during a FIFA World Cup 2026 match is not real. The clip is AI-generated and originates from a virtual influencer account on Instagram, shared with a misleading narrative.
Executive Summary
Amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers, a video showing a vessel engulfed in flames and thick black smoke is being widely circulated on social media. The clip is being shared with the claim that it depicts a US attack on a ship carrying Indian nationals in Omani waters. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The viral video predates the incident it is being linked to and is not related to any recent attack.
Claim:
A Facebook user shared the video alleging that the United States attacked a ship carrying Indian citizens in the maritime region near Oman. The post has been widely circulated as part of the ongoing West Asia tensions. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3031094270427837, https://www.facebook.com/reel/3031094270427837
Fact Check:
A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to several media reports published on 2 March 2026, which carried the same visuals seen in the circulating clip. The reports indicated that the footage showed a vessel targeted amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, following restrictions on maritime movement in the region. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-targets-6th-ship-in-hormuz-strait-video-shows-billowing-smoke-11159019
Further research also found the same visuals in a Moneycontrol report published on 2 March 2026. The report clearly established that the footage is from an earlier incident and not linked to any recent developments. https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/indian-crew-member-killed-after-drone-boat-strikes-oil-tanker-off-oman-coast-first-indian-casualty-in-us-iran-tensions-article-13848303.html
Conclusion:
The research confirms that the viral video is not related to any recent US attack on a vessel carrying Indian nationals. The footage has been online since at least March 2026 and shows an earlier incident involving the oil tanker Skylight during tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Hence, the claim being circulated on social media is misleading.
Executive Summary
A video circulating on social media is being shared with the claim that the Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi national who was attempting to infiltrate India through the Tripura border. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The viral video is not related to any recent incident on the Tripura border. It actually shows Haris Nazir Dar, a militant who was killed during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district last year.
Claim:
The viral clip, which is around eight seconds long, shows a body lying on the ground. It is being shared on X with captions suggesting that the deceased was a Bangladeshi infiltrator who was killed while attempting to cross the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura.
https://x.com/ocjain4/status/2066210317265457298
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. During the research, we found matching visuals in a report published by Dainik Bhaskar on August 2, 2025. The report was related to an encounter between security forces and militants in the Akhal forest area of Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir. Visuals in the report matched those seen in the viral video.
We also found a report published by India Today on August 2, 2025, which carried photographs of slain militant Haris Nazir Dar taken from a different angle. The report stated that security forces had killed three militants during the operation in the Akhal forest area of Kulgam. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gunfight-underway-with-3-lashkar-terrorists-in-jks-kulgam-2764971-2025-08-01
Conclusion:
The evidence gathered during our research makes it clear that the viral video does not show a Bangladeshi infiltrator killed at the Tripura border. The footage is actually from a security operation in Jammu and Kashmir and shows Haris Nazir Dar, a militant who was killed in an encounter in Kulgam last year.
Executive Summary
Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, a video showing a fighter jet launching a missile at a massive dam, followed by its collapse and widespread flooding, is being widely shared on social media. Users are claiming that the video depicts a recent Israeli airstrike on a petrochemical plant located along Iran’s Karun River. CyberPeace Research Wing research found that the viral claim is false. The video is not related to any real-world incident and has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Claim:
An Instagram user shared the viral video with a caption claiming that Israel carried out an airstrike on a petrochemical complex along Iran’s Karun River. The post further suggested that the facility is a key industrial site and that the attack caused widespread panic in the region. Post link:
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZhNuiRx_v1/
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZhNuiRx_v1/
Fact Check:
A reverse image search of keyframes from the video led to its appearance on a Facebook page named Warfare NextGen. The page clearly described the footage as “dramatic content,” indicating that it is not a real incident.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1027249019882257
A closer analysis of the visuals also revealed several inconsistencies that raise doubts about its authenticity. To further verify the video, it was analyzed using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which indicated a 99.4% probability that the content is AI-generated.
Additionally, a separate analysis using SIGHTENGINE also classified the video as approximately 99% AI-generated.
Conclusion:
The research confirms that the viral video is not a real incident. It has been created using artificial intelligence and is being falsely shared as a depiction of an Israeli strike on a petrochemical plant along Iran’s Karun River.
Executive Summary
A video showing a massive fire with thick black smoke is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it depicts a recent Israeli attack on Iran. CyberPeace Research Wing research found that the claim is false. The viral video is not related to Iran or any Israel-Iran conflict. It actually shows a gas pipeline fire in Kizilyurt city of Russia’s Dagestan region.
Claim:
A video circulating on X shows a large fire breaking out at a location with thick black smoke rising. The clip is being shared with a caption claiming, “Israel has carried out more than 500 surgical strikes on Iran in the last 24 hours.” Post link: https://x.com/ocjain4/status/2064700017361985702, https://x.com/ocjain4/status/2064700017361985702
Fact Check:
A reverse image search using keyframes from the viral video led to visuals published in a report on a Dagestan-based media outlet dated June 9. The report stated that the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry’s Dagestan department received reports of three explosions at a methane gas station.
https://riadagestan.ru/news/incidents/v_dagestane_vzorvalas_azs
Further research found that several Russian media outlets also published the same visuals on June 9, describing them as a pipeline explosion and fire in Kizilyurt, Dagestan
We also found a report published by DW on June 9, 2026, which stated that three explosions occurred on the Mozdok–Kazimagomed gas pipeline in Kizilyurt, Dagestan, resulting in a massive fire with flames rising up to 15 meters. According to local authorities, no casualties or injuries were reported..
https://www.dw.com/ru/na-gazoprovode-v-dagestane-progremeli-tri-vzryva-voznik-pozar/a-77481599
Conclusion:
The research clearly shows that the viral video is unrelated to the Israel-Iran conflict. It actually depicts a gas pipeline fire in Russia’s Dagestan region, which has been falsely shared as a recent Israeli strike on Iran.
